![]() ![]() During the war years she made many appearances for servicemen at the Hollywood Canteen and she appeared in many of the USO troop revues. With America in WWII after Pearl Harbor, Rita became one of the servicemen's most popular pin up girls, second only to Betty Grable. She had her first leading role in 'My Gal Sal' in 1942, and co-starred with Ginger Rogers and Charles Boyer, in 'Tales of Manhattan' in the same year. Rita was now one of the foremost actresses in Hollywood. Astaire was to comment privately that Rita was his favorite dancing partner. Again the movie was a success and Rita's stock rose even higher.Īfter another important supporting role in 'Blood and Sand' in 1941, Rita became a fully fledged Hollywood star later that year, with her appearance dancing with Fred Astaire in 'You'll Never Get Rich.' Her exceptional dancing was showcased again in a follow up with Astaire the following year, 'You Were Never Lovelier'. Columbia continued grooming her in several minor movies in 1940 and then in 1941 loaned her out to Warner Brothers to appear in 'The Strawberry Blonde' with James Cagney and Olivia de Havilland. The movie was a great success and the public clamoured for more of the beautiful redhead. She followed the studio's suggestions regarding new makeup, hair color, nose reshaping and electrolysis treatment to raise her hairline.Īfter appearing in a number of minor 'B' movies in 19 Rita was offered a small but vital part in 1939 in 'Only Angels Have Wings', playing opposite major stars Cary Grant and Jean Arthur. Her name was changed at this time to her mother's family name of Hayworth and she began the process of transforming the alluring Latina girl into the glamorous Hollywood superstar. When she was 18 in 1937 Rita eloped with her first husband, businessman, Ed Judson and with his help Rita was able to sign a contract with Columbia Pictures when her Fox contract was not renewed. She made her feature film debut, still under the name Rita Cansino in 'Dante's Inferno' starring Spencer Tracy in 1935 and made four other very average films with Fox. Her energy and burgeoning talent were apparent and after catching the eye of the vice-president of the Fox Film Corporation, she was offered a screen test and and at the age of 17 in 1935 signed a six month movie contract. Margarita attended Carthay Elementary School and Alexander Hamilton High School but her dancing always came first.Īt thirteen but looking older she became a regular part of her parents' stage act 'The Dancing Cansinos', which performed in Tijuana and in offshore gambling ships. When she was eight her family moved to Hollywood and opened a dancing school. Her father was Spanish flamenco dancer Eduardo Cansino and her grandfather was Antonio Cansino, whose dancing school in Madrid had been world-famous.Īs soon as she could walk Margarita was given dancing lessons and it soon became obvious that she had great natural talent. ![]() She was born Margarita Carmen Dolores Cansino on October 17, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York, and she was destined to be a dancer. Over her 37 year career Rita Hayworth appeared in 61 movies and is listed at number 19 in the American Film Institute's List of Greatest Stars of All Time. Many felt that she was the best on-screen partner of Fred Astaire. Rita Hayworth was a glamorous American film actress who rose to fame during the 1940's not only as a top movie star, but also as one of the great sex symbols of Hollywood's Golden Age, becoming known as "The Love Goddess".Īs well as possessing great beauty, Rita Hayworth also had great dancing talent with enviable technique, as well as natural stamina and rhythm. ![]()
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